David Willey and Chris Lynn were back in Northamptonshire colours yesterday as they took part in two 2XI T20s against a strong Warwickshire side.
The sides looked particularly mismatched in the first T20 at the Edgbaston Community Sports Ground, Warwickshire electing to bat as Northamptonshire looked to make a positive start with the ball.
It didnโt take long for Willey to make a breakthrough, as he dismissed Ireland international Paul Stirling with the fifth ball of the first over.
Warwickshire quickly got into the flow of things, as first teamers Rob Yates and Alex Davies put on a partnership of 88 from 56 deliveries. Yates was dismissed for 39, trapped LBW by Bailey Wightman and Davies went on to hit 95 from 44 deliveries, before trialist Justin Broad removed the batsmen at the end of the 17th over.
It was an expensive end to the innings for Northamptonshire, as Sam Hain put on a quick fire 72 from 32 deliveries. Warwickshire ended their innings on 232/4, making good use of the smaller boundaries on offer.
It was a slow start from Northamptonshire to their innings, as both openers fell within the first three overs, leaving the side 3/2. David Willey came to the crease and swiftly got into his rhythm, smashing 79 off 48 deliveries, including 7 fours and 5 sixes. Wickets quickly fell around the England international however, as the experienced Warwickshire side proved too strong for a young Northamptonshire 2XI.
Willey was eventually removed in the 18th over, as Northamptonshire stumbled to 154/8 by the end of their innings, falling 78 runs short.
Northamptonshire 2XI batted first in the 2nd T20 of the day, with Chris Lynn and Willey opening the batting.
Willey was unable to replicate his impressive innings in the first match, falling in the third over to Che Simmons, but Lynn was back to his usual self less than 24 hours after arriving in the country.
The Australian hit 44 of just 17 deliveries, including five 4s and three 6s before Simmons had him caught on the boundary attempting a third successive maximum in the seventh over.
After the dismissal of Lynn, Broad was the only player to reach double figures, posting a strong 71 from 48. Northamptonshire could only post a total of 151 all out, as Sai Bhoorgu was the last batsmen dismissed in the 19th over.
Warwickshireโs first team experience proved valuable as they chased the 152 run target in just 13.4 overs, with Chris Benjamin hitting 42 off 17 balls.
However the figures perhaps donโt reflect the bowling efforts, Academy bowler Sai Boorghu in particular the highlight as he claimed a hat-trick in the 13th over.